Roy S. Johnson Blog

Roy S. Johnson Blog

Sat Apr 04, 2009 12:11 am EDT

Be careful what you wish for, Jay C

By Roy S. Johnson

This whole thing still doesn't make a lot of sense: One coach is fired; another is hired. The Young Star likes the old coach, so he pouts. The new coach handles it like a rookie coach, which he is. Next thing we know, the Young Star is traded to one of the game's most storied franchises.

Welcome to the crosshairs, Jay Cutler. You're now a Chicago Bear.

Whether he actually wanted to be traded or not, Cutler's actions since the Denver Broncos hired Josh McDaniels told me he wanted out. So I don't care what he or his agent or any of his relatives say now. Because now he's a Bear.

He's out from "under the radar" relatively speaking.

Sure, there was pressure in Denver. Cutler was the Broncos' Young Savior. He was The One Who Was Supposed to Be Elway. And in the three seasons since he was selected in the first round of the 2006 draft, 11th overall, he's thrown for 9,024 yards and 54 touchdowns, with 37 interceptions. He was a Pro Bowler.

Now he's a Bear. And if he thought it was tough to live up to lingering love for John Elway, he ain't seen nothing.

Cutler is the Bears' best QB since Jim McMahon, the renegade headband-wearing guy who led the Bears through their magical 1985 season and to victory in Super Bowl XX. Even after he was injured the following season, after being body-slammed by a defensive lineman, McMahon won 22 straight starts. Say McMahon's name even now almost anywhere in Chicago and you might hear harps and angels from on high.

Sure, following Elway was tough. But everyone follows someone. Now it's different. Denver is a town that's passionate for its team, but at the end of the game – win or lose – they'd just as soon go skiing.

In Chicago, they go, well, not skiing. Da Bears are an obsession.

And now Rex Grossman is gone – not literally (at least not yet) but he might as well be. In the minds of Bears fans he's all but disappeared. Because Jay Cutler's a Bear.

Be careful what you wish for, Jay. Now you've got to stand and deliver. For real. If not, skiing will look pretty good. Skiing, even, with Josh McDaniels.

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26 Comments

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  1. Shane W
    1. Posted by Shane W Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:16 pm EDT

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    Money in the bag. I like $$$$$. rubber ducky, i like my rubber ducky
  2. Rhys M
    2. Posted by Rhys M Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:38 pm EDT

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    This is one of the worst articles ever. Denver is a major football town. Although we do go sking, we love football. Atleast Chicago always has the Cubs haha.
  3. karman
    3. Posted by karman Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:27 pm EDT

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    Da bears are gonna be sick!! building a dynasty!!
  4. reggaerasta
    4. Posted by reggaerasta Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:35 pm EDT

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    McMahon's a clown! Still hangin' on to the glory days: just can't part with those kickass sunglasses can you, Jim. Time to grow up and be an adult. McMahon should never be mentioned in the same sentence as Elway. Now if the Bears could actually get a few good receivers...and Hester is NOT a #1.
  5. seeingredagainandagain
    5. Posted by seeingredagainandagain Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:12 pm EDT

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    i agree reggaerasta, da bears need to draft three receivers and put Hester back at returning kicks, they'd be unstopable!!
  6. Joe G
    6. Posted by Joe G Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

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    Sorry Denver fans, but your fans are nowhere near as passionate about your team as Bears fans are. We live and die with our teams. So better get your skis and snowboards ready because you're going to be skiing a lot with KO as your QB. Daaaa Bears!!!
  7. Chuck
    7. Posted by Chuck Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:06 pm EDT

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    We finally have a decent QB here in Chicago again and I can`t believe someone thinks he`s in the crosshairs or he has big shoes to fill. At least he can throw a football more than 20 yards accurately which Denver will find out Orton can`t do and Cutler can scramble which Orton really can`t do. I`m just excited to see how many yards Forte gets with Cutlers arm back there and defenses will have to play the pass against us and not pack the line!
  8. UpInDaChi
    8. Posted by UpInDaChi Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    bigchuck55- I couldn't agree with you more. Jay Cutler has NO SHOES to fill in Chicago, not for 20 plus years atleast. This is a great move by Jerry Angelo and I supported the organization's decision. Jerry Angelo isn't that great drafting first round picks but I'd grade him a C+ in the later rounds. So it makes sense to me that he got rid of 2 first rounders for Jay Cutler. I like Kyle Orton and I really do think he can develop into a good QB but Lovie and JA are in the hot seat this coming season. They have to atleast get into the playoffs just to save there jobs and so we landed a franchise QB hoping to turn things around for the Bears this season.
    Matt Forte should have another great season, possibly much better than last season. Now the opponents are not just focusing on stopping the run but now they have to worry about the passing game which is a huge plus for Matt Forte.
  9. Coach
    9. Posted by Coach Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:18 pm EDT

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    Every city has die-hard football fans that love their teams. I'm in Michigan and even the Lions still have devoted fans. Media scrutiny is something different though. Detroit media is tough on losing teams, like the Lions, and even can be critical of the successful Red Wings (Osgood). But I've went to college near Philadelphia for 5 years and I can tell you Philly is even tougher on their sports teams and athletes. While the "tough Philly fan" can be a little overblown, it is based in fact. I haven't had the pleasure of living in Denver or Chicago, but I think the article is pointing more to the media pressure in Chicago is going to be tougher than in Denver. So fans don't think because you don't try to run a great QB like McNabb out of town that you don't love your team. It's just that some cities put a lot more pressure on their athletes to achieve and maintain greatness.
  10. PaulT
    10. Posted by PaulT Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:23 pm EDT

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    The major Chicago teams (but especially the Bears, Cubs, and what is essentially a Chicago team, Notre Dame) do indeed have more fans, who are more serious about their team, than just about any other franchises in American sports. They have the meanness and the high standards of Philly fans, but with the national following of the Cowboys or Yankees. It's not just a media issue, Chicago sports fans really are a breed apart. There's a reason our sports teams, all of them, across the board (well maybe not the Sox - HAHA), sell out every game so long as they aren't absolutely awful. People here live and die with the sports teams. They have real civic pride in this area and the sports franchises have been here a long time and have grown up with the region, and are a part of our civic pride and are a part of families who've been here for generations. It's not like Denver, it's not like Detroit. I will say, that the mood and the expectations of Chicago fans used to be more like anywhere else, but that's changed too. Chicago fans no longer tolerate bad franchises; Matt Millen would not have lasted near that long in Chicago as it is today, especially if he'd done that to the Bears. We want winners and we want them ASAP, and we want them annually; and if we don't get them we will run you out of town; but if you win here, there's nothing else like it - not even NY.
  11. ianerose0720
    11. Posted by ianerose0720 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Go Bears!!!!
  12. Shawn B
    12. Posted by Shawn B Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:18 pm EDT

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    this is one of the greatest thing ever.Im a huge Bears fan.With jay Cutler and our running game and the best defense in the NFL yeah its true Super Bowl Baby. For the fan that says not to compare Jim mcmahon to John Elway your right Jim had more talent and in Denver you might be fans but in Chicao and all of Illinois its our life right there with family go Chicago Bears.
  13. John
    13. Posted by John Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:25 pm EDT

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    Hey silverking, great comment. Except for the part about the Sox. Screw you, you are aware that they consistantly bring in more money than the Scrubs i hope. Cough101yearsCough.
  14. Thomas
    14. Posted by Thomas Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    How can someone bag on the Sox when they won a world title just a few years ago? Anyway...
    People are getting too caught up in records of Orton and Cutler. Orton won 10 games as a rookie starter because of the defense. Period. They won those games in spite of him, not because of him. How many passes did he 1-hop to Muhammed? Granted he was a rookie then and by last year had shown improvement, but he still can't throw a deep ball and still has little touch on everything else. Denver fans will see this first hand.
    Cutler has a losing career record, but look at his defense and special teams. He puts points on the board, he moves the offense. Even if he fails to get the team into the end zone, we have Robbie Gould to put 3 up in those instances. The Bears special teams are outstanding all the way around. Cutler's only career loss when his team gives up 21 or less was a fluke Favre pass in OT. Going by Jay's record when he only needs to put up 22 points, what would the Bears have done last year with him since they averaged giving up 21 a game?
    And the Bears defense should be improved with his presence simply because they were on the field for an average of 32 minutes a game last year. Orton engineered a lot of 3 and outs which didn't give the D much time to rest, so come the 4th quarter they were beat. Plus Orton was damn near immobile, even before his ankle injury, so a good amount of sacks the Bears O line gave up last year were on him.
    Bottomline is this: You can reasonably expect Cutler to win a game with his arm. You cannot expect that with Orton. Denver fans will see this. The Bears would not have gotten a QB (or most likely any player) like Cutler with either of the first rounders they gave up, nor with the 3rd rounder. This is a steal for the Bears. The Bears have just bought themselves a 10 year window for success, and the price they paid for it was minimal.
    But then again its all speculation right now, so lets pick this up again in February and see how things went.
  15. PaulT
    15. Posted by PaulT Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:23 pm EDT

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    The red-headed stepchild gets beaten just as much for bringing home a good report card as for bringing home a bad one. Never forget this, Sox fans.
  16. bronco maniac
    16. Posted by bronco maniac Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    k so i have been reading this blog site and i think its crap. how can you judge a city for its fans unless you have been there and experienced what its like at a home game or even talked to some of the locals. i have lived in both Chicago and Denver and i have found that both cities have a deep passionate love for thier team's. i am a die hard denver fan and hope that KO can bring the broncos a quarterback that loves to play the game, and plays to play. not to get paid. good luck Chicago. I hope Jay doesnt throw as many picks there as he did here. Chicago hasnt had any success with anyone in forever and a few days, so as far as the whole trade goes. i hope both teams meet in the super bowl but thats a far fetched dream for either team.
    cause as we all know when you get a new quarterback its hard for them to get used to the entire team.
    so lastly...... GO BRONCOS, im sure KO and McD, will bring some life to the broncos, which they have been lacking in a huge way. time for some tricky plays, some thinking outside of the box and lets have some fun this season.
  17. Tails
    17. Posted by Tails Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:54 pm EDT

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    Grossman IS gone literally. He wasn't resigned, so he is no longer a Bear.
  18. bronco maniac
    18. Posted by bronco maniac Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:41 pm EDT

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    so i am reading all of the crap that all of the Chicago fans are saying....... (BS)... how can you judge fans and never even been to a home game in that city, or even talked to a real local. dont get me wrong i have lived in both Chicago and Denver. and both cities have a deep love for their teams. but in all honesty i have found that Denver fans are more faithfull to there teams. Chicago has faith as well but i have seen way more Chicago fans turn on the bears just because they havnt done anything worth even talking about since Walter, or Jim. i hope Jay doesnt throw as many picks there as he did here. so GOOD LUCK Bear fans but it wont help until you get a better passing game, and i will gladly take KO and McD. i hope the tricky play calling of McD, and the passion for the game from KO is gonna give the broncos the heart that it has been lacking since Elway left.
    finally............. GO BRONCOS . SEE YA JAY and wut up KO. bring us that love to play the game mentality. not the love to get paid mentality.
  19. Thomas
    19. Posted by Thomas Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    Chicago fans turn on Bears management when they let the team become a joke every Sunday. Thats called tough love...you love the Bears but you will not stand by and allow them to become a laughing stock. Thats not turning on the team, thats making a statement to ownership...something real fans would understand. ;o)
    And seriously, all of the Denver fans who are saying they are glad to have Kyle Orton instead of Jay Cutler...oi vey. Every time I see someone post that or hear someone say it on the radio, all it tells me is they have very little football knowledge. Bears fans are all over the place mostly telling you how much this guy sucks and you refuse to believe it. How many times did he trip over the center's feet taking the snap? No touch, can't throw the deep ball, mediocre at reading defenses, immobile...yeah, you guys scored big.
  20. gio
    20. Posted by gio Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:23 pm EDT

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    How bout dem Black Hawk's?
  21. AFan
    21. Posted by AFan Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:00 pm EDT

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    No where did I read if the spoiled baby took his pacifier with him to Chicago
  22. Adam Hedrick
    22. Posted by Adam Hedrick Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    Hard to beat the Cardinal Fans... players love playin in st. louis...
  23. hanuman49
    23. Posted by hanuman49 Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:16 pm EDT

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    After reading the rubbish many of these silly Bears fans have spouted I feel compelled to speak. Yes, the Bears have a great storied team, iconic figures and fans that have been parodied in many comic routines. However, that does not make a more devout fan base. Denver is more in love with the Broncos than Chicago the Bears. From August of 2008 ESPN ranked NFL fans based on seven factors, which I won't waste lines to write but feel free to google them. Denver fans are ranked at #7, six spots ahead of the Bears at #13. Someone tried to talk of the home sellouts of Chicago, well, Denver's longest sellout streak is at 293, Bears is 202, so if that's determinative Denver wins. Denver also has 27,600 fans on their season ticket waiting list, while Chicago has a paltry 4,000 (according to ESPN). Finally, to even debate whether McMahon was even remotely of the same caliber of quarterback of Elway is ridiculous and foolish. Elway is so far superior there is no need to discuss this question further. Back to the issue at hand. Cutler is a far better player than KO, though Cutler does act like a two year old. Now McDaniels, he's shown me nothing to win my respect. I don't like the direction the Broncos as moving at all. Even still, GO BRONCOS!
  24. greg r
    24. Posted by greg r Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:48 pm EDT

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    To Silverking...if you guys dont tolerate losers, and you run them out of town, why exactly have the Bears sucked for so long? Cutler has one of the strongest arms I've ever seen, there's no doubt, but that alone does not make him a great QB. Cutler drops back.....looking for Brandon Marsh.......3 more seconds, still looking at B Marsh,... 3 more seconds, STILL looking at B Marsh...2 more seconds, sling...triple coverage and falls incomplete, or gets picked off. The typical Orton snap looked much different in Chicago...Orton goes back...2 seconds pass, and sacked. Here's to the crybaby and the numerous injuries that await him in the black and blue NFC...oh wait, you guys have Pace now, give Bulger a call and ask him how well that turned out for him :) GO BRONCS!
  25. Chad G
    25. Posted by Chad G Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:22 pm EDT

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    you bears fans are pretty cute!

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